Motor-vehicle.



No. 700,743. Patented May 27, I902.

W. A. CROWDUS.

moron vsmcu-z.

I (Application filed June 25, 1901.)

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheetl.

Wi aZL/NENTOR.

iii 2% BY I V I 4 ATTORNEY No. 700,743. Patented May 27, 1902.

W. A. CROWDUS.

MOTOR VEHICLE.

' (Application filed June 25, 19011 (No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheei 2.'

. 1T E5 E5: INVENTO A TTORNE X. Y

Patented May 27, I902.

W. A. CBOWDUS. MOTOR VEHICLE.

(Application filed June 26, 1901.)

5 Sheets Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

INVENT R. %LQZL 4 BY lTNEis/Egi4 I A TTORNE No. 700,743. 7 ,Pgtented May27, I902. W. A. CROWDUS.

MOTOR VEHICLE.

7 (Application filed June 25, 1901.)

-5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

(No Model.)

INVENTOR.

WTN SS 5:

' A TTORNE Y.

No. 700,743. Patented May 27, 1902. w. A. cnnwnus, IIOTOR'VEHIGLE. Aliemoi filed June 25, 1901.) (No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 5.

WTN $555: INVENTO I M hwz2z a.

a r A TTORNE).

"tion consists of the various features,

PATENT OFFICE- VVALTER A. CROIVDUS,

OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

MOTOR-VEHICLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 709,743, dated May 27,1902.

I Application filed June 25 1901. Serial No. 65,943. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it-known that I, WALTER A. CRoWDus, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Motor-Vehicles, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to motor-vehicles, and relates particularly tomeans for supporting the motor and to the driving mechanism particularlyof electrically-propelled motorvehicles.-

Ainong the objects of the inventionare to provide means for supportingthe motor whereby the jar or jolt upon the vehicle-gear or underframedue to the weight of the motor,- particularly when passing over roughroads, will be reduced to a minimum, to provide a driving-gear incombination with the motor whereby it is rendered possible to drive thevehicle by means of a fiexibly-snspende l motor, and to provide aconnection between the motor and the driving-gear whereby the motor willpick up its load gradually, thereby avoiding the sudden jerk due tostarting a motor which'is ,unyieldingly connected to the driving-gear. I

Afurther object of the invention is to provide a motor operativelyconnected to the driving or traction wheels of the vehicle in suchmannerthat said driving or traction wheels will be revolubleindependently of each other and in such manner also that the power ofthe motor will be automatically divided'between said driving or tractionwheels in proportion to the loadimposed thereon, or in case said motorbecomes inoperative as to one of the driving or traction wheels thatpractically the entire power of the motor will be. applied to the otherdriving or traction wheel.

To efiect these various objects, my invencombinations of features, anddetails of construction hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings a motor vehicle embodying my invention isfully illustrated.

Figure 1 is a partial top plan'view of a motorrvehicle gear orunderframe and ofthe driving mechanism of a motor-vehicle of myinvention. Fig. 2 is a rear-view'thereof. Fig. 3 is a side view thereof.Fig. 4 is an enlarged top plan view of the driving mechanism shown inFig. 1. Fig. 5 is an enlarged side view, partly in section, of Fig. 4.Fig. 6 is an enlarged rear view, partly in section,-of the parts shownin Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is a partial top plan view of a vehicle-gear orunderframe.

and of the driving mechanism of a motor-vehicle embodying my inventionin a slightly modified form. Fig. 8 is a'rear view thereof, partly insection; and Fig. 9 is a side view, partly in section, thereof.

I will first describe the vehicle illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6 of thedrawings,which embodies my invention in what I now consideritspreterable form.

The gear or underframe of the vehicle (shown in Figs. 1 to 6) comprisesa rear-axle support A; an axleAE, comprising separate sections revolublymounted insui'table bearings in said axle-support; a reach A whichterminates in front of the rear axle; trussrods or struts A whichconnect the rearaxle support A with the reach, and a brace -A, whichconnects the truss-rods or struts A with the reac'h A at or adjacent toits rear end. Said frame is of the general type shown, described, andclaimed in an application filed by me in the United States Patent Officeon the 25th day of June, 1901, and numbered Y serially 65,941, to whichreference is made fora more detailed description thereof.

In the preferable construction shown the motor (indicated at B) ispivotally supported upon the rear-axle support A and the reach A in thefollowing manner: Secured to the motor-casing are arms 13, which arehinged to arms B formed on a bracket or frame piece 13 rigidly securedto the rear-axle support, and an arm or projection'B, provided with ahole or opening bin its outer end which engages a vertically-disposedbolt or pin 1), rigidly secured in the lateral members of a U-shapedhead 13?, secured to the rear,end of the reach A by means of a stud-boltb brazed or otherwise rigidly secured to said reach. Inserted betweenthe arm or projection B and the lateral members of the U shaped head Bare cushions 11 which preferably encircle the bolt or pin 1) as a guide.As shown, said cushions b are made of rubber, but may consist of coiledsprings-or othersuitable cushion.

With the described construction it is obv'ious-that the motor 13 willhave limited pivotal movement and that the cushions b will receive andabsorb the jar or jolt due to the Weight of said motor, thus verymaterially relieving the strain on the frame of the vehicle therefrom.

In the preferable construction shown the motor B is of the typecomprising two armaturesunder I the influence of one magnetic field,said armature-shafts being operatively connected to different sectionsof the rear axle A.

In the preferable construction shown the driving connection between thearmatureshafts and the sections of the axle A is as follows: Rigidlysecured to the sections of said axle are spiral gears'C, with whichengage pinions 01, secured to shafts C revolubly mounted. in suitablehearings in the bracket or frame-piece'l-l in substantial alinement withthe armature-shafts of the motor B. The pinion-shafts C are connectedtothe armamre shafts of the motor l-l'by universal joints 0'', thetransverse axis of which coincide'with. the axis about which the motor Bis pivotally'movable. \Vith this construction it is obvious that thepinion-shafts C will be unaffected by movement ofthe motor 13 about itspoint of pivotal support.

In the preferable construction shown the 1 pini-ons G are splinedto thepiniou-shaftsC",

r and its operative parts.

and inserted between said pinions and rigid portions of the housing orbracket B are cusl1- ions, preferably involute springs Gt- Provision isthus'made for limited movement of said pinions longitudinally oftheirshaft-s, and- .thus tangentially of the gear-s0. \Vith thedescribed construction-it is obvious that when the armature-shafts arerotating the pinions C will exert a yielding strain or pull on the gearsQ and that in starting rotation of the armature-shafts will first forcethe pin'ions O lengthwise of the pinion-shafts C until the resistance totheir endwise movement is sufficient to overcome the inertia of thevehicle In this manner the motor in starting is enabled to pick up itsload-"gradually in the desired manner, and thus to-start the vehiclefrom a position of .rest without a sudden jerk. Said cushions or springsC also operate to absorb or distribute all jerking motion'ofthe vehicledue to suddenly-varying resistances to the movement of the vehicle, thuscausing the vehicle (.0 run much more smoothly than though theconnection between the armature-shafts and the driving or tractionwheels were rigid.

The armature-shafts being independent of each other, provision is madefor independent rotation of the driving or tract-ion wheels, and

the armatures being in the same magnetic field are energized therebyproportionately to the loads thereon, respectively, and in case one ofsaid armatnres becomes inoperative the present invention.

a band-brake D is used, which may also be of any usual construction,forming no part of. I

In the preferable construction shown the brake-drum D consists ofseparate sections secured to the adjacent ends of the sections of therear axle A, so that the exteriors thereof will be continuous; A singleband D will thus serve to brake both'sections of the axle. As shown,also, the sections of the brake-drum instead of being secured directlyto the sections of the axle A" are secured to extensions of the hubs ofthe spiral gears C. s

VVhile'I prefer to use a double-armature motorand to support it in the.manner shown in Figs. 1 to 6 of the drawings as regards most of itsfeatures, my invention contemplates equally the use of a'single-armature motor and supporting the motor directly from thevehicle-frame.

In Figs. 7 to 9 of the drawings I have illustrated a motor-vehicle of myinvention embodying such modifications, which I will now describe, saiddescription 'beinglimited to features of difference, as features commonto both will be readily and fully understood from the description of thepreferred form of the invention,- the same or corresponding parts beingdesignated by the same referenceletters in both forms I In thevehicle-frame shown in Figs. 7 to 9 the rear-axle support A is connectedto the front-axle support (not shown) by side bars A said frame being ofthe general type shown, described, and claimed in an application filedby me in the United States Patent. Office on the 25th day of June, 1901,and numbered serially 65,942. The forward end of the motor B rests uponand is supported by a rod B, secured to the sidebars A of thevehicleframe, the spring of the frame being relied upon to relieve thejolt due to the weight of the motor instead of cushions or springs, as

- in the preferred form. The rear axle A comprises separate sectionsconnected by means of a differential gear-E, adapted to allow rotationof the sections of the axle relatively to each other, as in turning thevehicle, in a familiar manner. Any desired or approved form ofdifierential, gear may be used. As

shown, the differential gear E comprises a casing having an exteriorcylindrical surface,

to which the band-brake D is applied. As

shown, also, the gearing or driving connection between thearmature-shaft and the rear axle A is inclo'sed in a suitable casing Fto exclude dust and grit therefrom.

While I have heroin shown the armaturogears.

' the reach of the her, of a motor pivoted to said transverse at itsopposite side, said connection comprisreach, a pin rigidly member, areach 10 thereof and truss-rods or struts which eonframe member, of amotor pivoted to said 5 axle-support at support with said reach, arms onsaid axleshafts connected to the axle A by means of a spiral gear, I donot desire to be limited thereto, as my invention contemplates the useof other forms of gears, particularly worm- I claim- 1. In amotor-vehicle, the combination of a vehicle-frame comprising atransverse frame which terminates short nect said reach with saidtransverse frame member, a motor pivoted to said transverse frame memberat one side and connected to frame at its opposite side, substantiallyas described.

2. The combination with a vehicle-frame comprising a reach whichterminates short of the axle and truss-rods or struts which connect saidreach with a transverse frame memframe member at one side and yieldinglyconnected to the end of the reach at its opposite side, substantially asdescribed.

3 The combination with a vehicle-frame comprising a transverse framemember, a reach which terminates short of said transverse frame memberand truss-rods or struts which connect said reach with said transversetransverse frame member atone side and yieldingly connected to the endof the reach ing an arm on said motor and a head on the secured in onethereof which engages'a hole or opening in the other and a cushionbeneath the arm on said motor, substantially as described.

4. In a motor-vehicle, the combination of a vehicle-frame comprising anaxle-support, a reach which terminates short of said axlesupport andtruss-rods or struts which connect said axle-support and said reach, anaxle revolubly mounted in suitable bearings in said axle-support, amotor pivoted to said one end and yieldingly connected to the end of thereach at its opposite end and flexible driving connection between saidmotor and said axle, substantially as described.

'5. In a motor-vehicle, the combination of a vehicle-frame comprising anaxle-support, an axle revolubly mounted therein, a reach whichterminates short of said axle-support, and truss-rods or struts whichconnect said axlesupport, a motor pivoted to said arms at one end andyieldingly connected to the end of the reach at its opposite end, saidconnection comprising an arm on said motor, a head on said reach, a pinin one thereof which engages a hole or opening in the other and acushion beneath the arm on said motor, and a flexible driving connectionbetween said motor and said axle, substantially as described.

6. In a motor-vehicle, the combination of a revoluble axle, a motorpivotally supported l at oneend adjacent to said axle eccentricallythereto, a gear secured to said axle, a pinion which engages said gear,a shaft to which said pinion is secured and driving connection betweensaid pinion-shaft and the motor-shaft consistin-gof a universal jointthe transverse axis of which coincides with the pivotal axis of saidmotor, substantially as described.

7. In a motor-vehicle, the combination of a revoluble axle, a motorpivotally supported at one end adjacent to said axle eccentricallythereto, a gear secured to said axle, a pinion which engages with saidgear, a shaft to which said pinion is splined, cushions against whichthe ends of said pinion abut and flexible driving connection betweensaid pinionshaft and the motor-shaft, substantially as described.

8. In a motor-vehicle, the combination of a revoluble axle, a motorpivotally supported at one end adjacent to said axle eccentricallythereto, a gear secured to said axle, a pinion which engages said gear,a shaft to which said pinion is splined, cushions against which the endsof said pinion abut and flexible driving connection between saidpinion-shaft and the motor-shaft consisting of a universal joint thetransverse axis of which coincides with the pivotal axis of said motor,substantially as described.

9. In a motor-vehicle, the combination of a revoluble axle, a motorpivoted at one end adjacent to said axle eccentrically thereto andyieldingly supported at its opposite end, a gear secured to said axle, apinion which engages with said gear, a shaft to which said pinion issecured and flexible connection be tween said pinion-shaft and themotor-shaft, substantially as described.

10. In a motor-vehicle, the combination of a revoluble axle, a motorpivoted at one end adjacent to said axle eccentrically thereto andyieldingly supported at its opposite end, a gear secured to said axle, apinion which engages said gear, a shaft to which said pinion is securedand flexible driving connection between said pinion-shaft-and themotor-shaft consisting of a universal joint the transverse axis of whichcoincides with the pivotal axis of said motor, substantiallyasdescribed.-

11. In a motor-vehicle, the combination of a revoluble axle, a motorpivoted at one end adjacent to said axle eccentrically thereto andyieldingly supported at its opposite end, a gear secured to said axle, apinion which engages with said gear, a shaft to which said pinion issplined, cushions against which the ends of said pinion abut andflexible connection between said pinion-shaft and the motorshaft,substantially as described.

12. In a motor-vehicle, the combination of a revoluble axle, a motorpivoted at one end adjacent to said axle eccentrically thereto andyieldingly supported at its opposite end, a gear secured to said axle, apinion which angages with said gear, a shaft to whichsaid pinion issplined, cushions against'which the an axle-support, an axlerevolubly-mountedin suitable bearings therein, a motor pivoted upon saidaxle-support at one end eccentrically to said axle, a gear secured tosaid axle,

, a pinion which engages said gear, a shaftto which said pinion issecured and flexible connection between said pinion-shaft and the mo:tor-shaft, substantially as described.

14; In a motorwehicle, the combination of an axle-support, an axlerevolubly mounted in suitable bearings therein, a motor pivoted uponsaid axle-support at one end eccentrically to said axle, a gear securedto said axle, a pinion which engages said gear, a shaft to which saidpinion is secured and flexible connection between said-pinion-Shaft andthe motor-shaftoonsisting of a universal joint the transverse axis ofwhich coincides with the pivotal axis of said motor, substantially asdescribed.

15. In a motor-vehicle, the combination of an axle-support, an axlerevolubly mounted in suitable bearings therein, a motor pivoted uponsaid axle-support at one end eceentric-' ally to said axle, andyieldingly supported at its opposite end, a gear secured to said axle, apinion which engages said gear, a shaft to which said pinion is securedand flexible connection between said pinion-shaft and the motor-shaft,substantially as described.

16. In a motor-vehicle, the combination of an axle-support, an axlerevolubly mounted in suitable bearings therein, a motor pivoted uponsaid axle-support at one end eccentric ally to said axle and yieldinglysupported at its opposite end, a gear secured to said axle, a pinionwhich engages said gear, a shaft to which said pinion is secured andflexible connection between said pinion-shaft and the motor-shaftconsisting of a universal joint the transverse axis of which coincideswith substantially a hole or opening in the other and a cushion beneaththe arm on said motor, an axle revolubly mounted in suitable bearings insaid axle-support, a gear secured to said axle, a pinion which engageswith said gear, a shaft to which said pinion is secured and flexibleconnection between'said pinion-shaft and the shaftof the motor,substantially as described.

18. In a motor-vehicle, the combination of a vehiclerframe comprising.an axle-support, a reach which terminates short of said axlesupport andtruss-rods which connect said reach and said axle-support, a motorpivoted to said axle-support at one end and yieldingly connected to thereach of the vehicle at its opposite end, said connection comprising anarm on the motor, a head on the reach,a pin in one thereof which engagesa hole or opening in the other and a cushion on which the arm on themotor rests, an axle revolubly mounted in suitable hearings in saidaxlesupport, a gear secured to said axle, a pinion which engages withsaid gear, a shaft to which said'pinion is splined, cushions againstwhichthe ends of said pinion'abut and flexible driving connectionbetween said pinion-shaft and the'shaft of the motor, substantially asdescribed.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as myinvention I afiix mysignature, in presence of two subscribing witnesses, this 22 day ofJune, A. DJ 1901.

WALTER A. cnownus.

Witnesses:

JOHN A. M'eKEowN, M. S. soMERvILLn.

